Date of birth: 10 November 1954
Primary position: Pitcher
Elected to Red Sox Hall of Fame: 2000
Known for his sinkerball, Bob Stanley, known as “The Steamer,” was picked up by Boston in the 1974 amateur draft and started his major league career with the Red Sox at the start of the 1977 season. Stanley was nothing short of a workhorse and alternated between starting and relieving during the early phase of his career; this led to some unusual season-ending lines. For example, in 1978, he started just 3 games in 52 appearances but won 15 games while collecting 10 saves; those numbers were enough to gain consideration for the Cy Young award.
The following year, he started 30 games and finished with a record of 16-12 and a 3.99 ERA, though he also managed ten relief appearances and one save; in recognition, he was named to his first of two All-Star appearances. From 1981 through 1983, Stanley led the majors in relief innings and finish 1982 with an American League record of 168.1 innings of relief in 48 appearances; he also led the team four times in saves between 1982 and 1986.
Staying with Boston for all 13 years of his professional career, Stanley retired after the 1989 season as the Red Sox career leader in saves with 132 (since passed by Jonathan Papelbon), appearances with 637, and games finished with 376. He is also eight all-time in wins with 115.
Career Pitching Statistics through 2018 Season
| Season | W | L | SV | IP | H | ER | SO | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 151.0 | 176 | 67 | 44 | 3.99 |
| 1978 | 15 | 2 | 10 | 141.7 | 142 | 41 | 38 | 2.60 |
| 1979 | 16 | 12 | 1 | 216.7 | 250 | 96 | 56 | 3.99 |
| 1980 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 175.0 | 186 | 66 | 71 | 3.39 |
| 1981 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 98.7 | 110 | 42 | 28 | 3.83 |
| 1982 | 12 | 7 | 14 | 168.3 | 161 | 58 | 83 | 3.10 |
| 1983 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 145.3 | 145 | 46 | 65 | 2.85 |
| 1984 | 9 | 10 | 22 | 106.7 | 113 | 42 | 52 | 3.54 |
| 1985 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 87.7 | 76 | 28 | 46 | 2.87 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 82.3 | 109 | 40 | 54 | 4.37 |
| 1987 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 152.7 | 198 | 85 | 67 | 5.01 |
| 1988 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 101.7 | 90 | 36 | 57 | 3.19 |
| 1989 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 79.3 | 102 | 43 | 32 | 4.88 |
| TOTAL | 115 | 97 | 132 | 1707.0 | 1858 | 690 | 693 | 3.64 |
Memorable Moments for Bob Stanley
- 4 September 1981 - After the game is suspended the night before due to a 1:00 AM curfew, Seattle beats Boston 8-7 thanks to a run in the 20th inning scored off Bob Stanley. Jerry Remy ties a Red Sox record with six hits in 10 at-bats during the marathon affair, the longest in Fenway Park history.